Morning Rehearsal: Chicago theater news 4/12

April 12, 2011

Monday is a typically slow performance night in the theater world, but there's always someone trying to be funny, so never fear! There's still some stuff you didn't do yesterday.

1. There is comedy you can bring the kids to...maybe. Last night, Zanie's presented Mark Lundholm's "Alcohol-Free Evening", where the recovering alcoholic of over 20 years made fun of his struggles all within the confines of a "PG rating." In case you're hankering to go, there's an encore performance tonight at 7:30 pm.

2. Ten years ago this Friday, the Edge Comedy club was founded, and they'll be celebrating this weekend with anniversary shows. The man who started it all, Dave Odd, talked with Eight-Forty-Eight today about how it all happened. When asked about the long-term potential of comedy in Chicago, Odd said, "There's this, 'you've got to move to one of the coasts to become famous' mentality out there. And I feel like Chicago is getting a lot of notoriety lately because a lot of the people who have come out of here are blowing up, and it's just a matter of getting people to pay attention."

3. Speaking of LA, the production of "Tree" is playing at the Victory Garden's Theater after a success run on the west coast. It was written by Julie Hebert, who has written and directed for television, film and theater (ER! The West Wing!). "Tree" clashes people of starkly different backgrounds, race and gender, from Chicago to Baton Rouge.

4. Second City is cheaper during the week than it is on the weekend (which is either little known or common sense). So next time, take advantage and see their new show "Fair and Unbalanced" on a Monday instead of a Saturday. As usual, the folks at Second City do what they do best and make fun of the people we exalt -- celebrities, and politicians -- leaving you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

5. The Chicago Theater Addict reports that Sunday's Chicago Performance of "Cast Party" was a rollicking success. Creator Jim Caruso has brought the show from New York, which is best described as a little bit cabaret, a little bit karaoke, with a dash of open mic night. It technically sounds like a disaster, but with some of the biggest talents in Chicago theater showing up, "Cast Party" could be the best thing to leave New York since bagels.